Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace

Subject: Folklore: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,yogarecords.com
Date: 09 Jan 12 - 01:16 AM

Hello, I'm looking for information on a 60s folk singer-songwriter named Eleanor Wallace. She recorded an album called Songs Of The Middle Way, which was privately pressed circa 1966 in Carmel, California. I've searched copyright records and done some deep googling but come up with nothing. I estimate Ms. Wallace was born sometime around 1932. There is perhaps an indication that a person by that name died in California in 1971, but it's entirely inconclusive. The only trace aside from the album is the inclusion of a song response to Bob Dylan in issue 41 of Broadside.

I was directed to this site by an expert connected to the Broadside story who said that if anyone knew the story it would be someone here. Any information on this artist would be most appreciated. Even the smallest clue might lead me to Ms. Wallace or her family, which hopefully would lead to an authorized reissue of the album. Please if you have any information write to me via my website yogarecords.com. Many thanks! Douglas M.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 12:11 PM

Are you still looking for info about Eleanor Wallace ?

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 12:13 PM

If you have some, please share it! Others will be interested, even if that party of the first post never returns.

SRS

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Kim Tucker Wolf
Date: 14 Jan 12 - 02:59 PM

Wow..I thought I would be the only one with memories of Eleanor Wallace. I didn't know she actually released her songs formally.
My step-father, George Cominos, managed and promoted her briefly in Carmel. He had a reel-to-reel recording of her songs, many of which I learned when I was 12 years old and just learning to play guitar. The reel-to-reel recording was lost in the 70's..but I have lyrics   written down, if you are interested. I have Middle of the Road, Answer to Bob Dylan, Touch and Go, Gather Honey, Bumble Bee.. My younger siblings grew up listening to me sing her songs, and all these years later, I still do. I'll be watching this site to see if anyone else knows about her and her work. Thanks! [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Guest, yogarecords.com
Date: 22 Jan 12 - 03:13 PM

Hello Kim and everyone else... I'm delighted to see that someone else remembers... Kim, I've written to you via your email address. In my experience hotmail tends to filter for spam rather aggressively, so if you don't get my message, check your spam box, and/or write to me via yogarecords.com.

Thank you -- Douglas

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 03 Feb 12 - 05:46 PM

Eleanor Has been found. Actually, I never lost her. Douglas did his homework and tracked her down. Eleanor (mom) does not play much anymore but still has her guitars and Lute.
Yup, I'm the "Mike" that was also on the album for a wee bit.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Bill Martens
Date: 01 Sep 12 - 11:40 PM

I still play Middle of the Road as I learned this from my Aunt Eleanor. Mike, if you read this, I would love to catch up wth you and Michelle. Talked to your mom today 2 hrs. Was so cool.
Bill (or Billy)

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: Beer
Date: 01 Sep 12 - 11:58 PM

I don't know any one here but it sure sounds as if there are great things happening.
Have fun.
Adrien from Quebec.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Barbi (Barbara Jean) - Niece
Date: 20 Sep 12 - 08:03 PM

Eleanor Wallace is my Aunt. Of the Middle Road was my favorite growing up and I learned the songs. (Hi Mike and Billie). I will look through my mom's stuff, but I am not sure we have the Album anymore. I was amazined to see this.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Frank Dey (Laguna Niguel , CA)
Date: 29 Aug 14 - 06:14 PM

I've been trying to remember her name for about a year… and it suddenly hit me one day .. right out of the blue. >>> Eleanor Wallace.   Many years ago I was in Carmel and heard her songs in a music store. I was told she only recorded locally and they were one of the few stores carrying her album (1). I bought one and think I still have it somewhere. I'm thinking of having it transferred to a CD. I'll keep you all posted if I find it and have it transferred to a CD.    Frank Dey   [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dutch Oven Guy
Date: 30 May 15 - 09:22 PM

I gave up her album when I sold all my vinyl. She kindly sang at the Presidio of Monterey when i was there in 1966-67. Her singing was a delight. She was a beautiful young lady with such a warm voice.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Frank Dey (Laguna Niguel, CA)
Date: 09 Aug 15 - 07:03 PM

I was able to find my Vinyl LP of Middle of the Road and had several CD's made of it. I've played them a lot since and put the LP away. A while back, I asked someone on this
thread .....think it was Mike Wallace,but not sure, if reproductions of this album were
lawful... since the album is copyrighted. I never got a reply, so I limited myself to just two copies (CD's) for personal use. Any thoughts would be appreciated.    Frank Dey

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 02:59 PM

To everyone that has appreciated Eleanor's music over the years, I have some sad news to share. Mom passed away peacefully on May 30, 2015 in the evening. I am still going through all her collected items and writings. I have located a few old reel to reel tapes and I hope to locate more soon. It is the families desire to get a new release of the album, or perhaps some of her other music if I locate it. I remember spending hours and hours with her at the recording studio when I was a child. She also had a recorder in the house. Quality not the best to today's standards but I have some favorites that were not on the album that I would like to here again. I hope I find what I am looking for.
Dutch Oven Guy ?? Your posting date and time!!
Mike

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Guest Lin
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 10:00 PM

To Guest Mike Wallace:

I was sorry to hear of Eleanor's passing. I did not know her personally but have heard some of her music on Youtube and have gone to Carmel & Monterey, CA over the years although I never was fortunate to hear her sing when I was there.

She was very, very talented and surprised she was not more well known. Eleanor had such a lovely voice.

As you go through her tapes & other related music, I wanted to ask you if there is any possibility of getting a copy of her album from you? I would be happy to send you payment for this of course. I wasn't sure how many albums she had?

My condolences to you and your family at this time.
Thank you,
Lin

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mary Katherine
Date: 24 Sep 15 - 11:42 PM

Mike, so very sorry for the loss of your mother. May her memory be a comfort and a blessing to you.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 25 Sep 15 - 01:45 PM

Mary and Lin, thank you for your kind words. I am currently in discussion with a production company to explore the possibilities of a new release of her only album. Possibly by the end of October I (we the family)will have some solid information to share. I was just contacted by them yesterday and my true feeling is that this project is a "GO".

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dylan Waddle
Date: 06 Nov 15 - 11:33 PM

Is the project coming along well, Mike? I found your mother's music through YouTube and love what she did. I would love to have a copy of the album myself. Her music is inspiring to me, as I am a musician and a music lover. I'm so sorry to hear of her passing. She made a positive impact on me even though I never met her.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 16 Nov 15 - 02:19 PM

I am still sifting through all of her boxes and organizing all of the music related material. Thanks for your interest.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dylan Waddle
Date: 10 Apr 16 - 03:16 PM

Hello Mike and others in this thread,

I saw Eleanor's obituary a few months ago, and as I am really a fan of her music, I wanted to find out more about her life as a musician. I saw that she was involved in KDTH radio in Dubuque Iowa, so I decided to see if I could find anything related to that.

I'm not sure if you are aware of this or not, but there is a page devoted to KDTH Radio Barn Dance on the American Radio History website, and the page contains a picture of Eleanor Wallace (Elinor Martens) with her sister Jean as the Sunshine Sisters. Click on the link below and scroll down to page 25 to see the picture. There is a short article about the sisters on the previous page. There is also an autograph from the sisters on the last page.

http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/KDTH-Dubuque-IA-Barn-Dance.pdf

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 01:47 PM

Dylan, that was some good hunting! Yes, the project is underway. I have some work to do today on it so I always start by checking out this thread. Not only do I have an original copy of the Barn Dance you linked, I found an album of them from KDTH. I also located reel tapes of her music that was not put on her album. We have a full Bio already completed and most of the music has been converted.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dylan Waddle
Date: 12 Apr 16 - 03:28 PM

That is so wonderful to hear, Mike. What treasures those things must be! I'm glad to hear that the project is coming along. Thank you for responding so soon.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dylan Waddle
Date: 10 Jul 16 - 08:08 PM

Hello Mike,

I thought you might enjoy this. I've learned to pay a few of your mother's songs from YouTube videos, and I decided to share my loose interpretation of "Moon On The Water" on own my YouTube channel. It's an instrumental version, played on my classical guitar, although I wish I had a lute! Your mother's music is still appreciated today.

https://youtu.be/_e17tVSGRUQ

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Al Abbott
Date: 12 Jul 16 - 08:48 PM

Kim Tucker
taught me several of Eleanor's songs when we were in our teens, i still remember parts of them

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jul 16 - 05:43 PM

Hello Al, which ones do you know? I know Moon on the Water and Standing By A River quite well. I'm still working on Touch and Go and Fairytale. Unfortunately I haven't been able to hear any of the other songs yet.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 16 - 08:29 PM

Hello

I just recently discovered her music and it is so beautiful. I am very sorry to hear about her passing away and send all my condolences. I have been trying to find a copy of Songs of the Middle Way but it hasn't been successful so far. Hopefully with time we can all enjoy more of the songs. If anyone would kindly wish to share the songs with me or perhaps sell a cd i would be very grateful.

If anyone would like to email me with further information about her work and upcoming projects perhaps related to the music, i would highly appreciate it.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 12 Oct 16 - 04:16 PM

Dylan, WOW! Thank You. That brought moisture to the eyes. After all these years I have never heard anybody else play her music. Well done and much appreciated for sharing. I still have the Lute.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Dylan Waddle
Date: 14 Oct 16 - 11:56 PM

Mike, thank you! It means a lot, especially coming from you. I play Moon On The Water almost every time that I pick up my guitar, so it is very special to me. I truly appreciate your kind words. Your mother's music has genuinely changed my life. It's clear from all of the other posts that I'm not the only one.

About the lute, I'm curious... Do you have any idea who made it and how your mother obtained it? They aren't easy to come by today, and I don't imagine they were common in the 60s either! I also found it interesting that, in the photo on the back of the album, the lute appears to have the little fret marker "dots," while most other lutes seem to lack them. It's amazing and wonderful that you still have her lute.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Graham, Dublin - 30 March 2022
Date: 28 Apr 22 - 05:02 PM

Hi all - I suppose this thread might be buried now but just to say, I was very sad to hear of Eleanor's passing. I am listening to "Songs of the Middle Way" as I type right now and it's a marvellous record of beautiful songs. I very much hope to see this re-issued in the future. Long live Eleanor and her wonderful music.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Mike Wallace
Date: 10 Sep 24 - 05:25 PM

Hello All, the thread is not dead! We are still working on things and getting closer to our goals. STAY TUNED

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Michael Brooks
Date: 23 Oct 24 - 09:15 PM

Mike, Glad you are still working on releasing some of your Mom's music. Can you share with us if there are going to be any unreleased songs?

Subject: Tracks: Songs of the Middle Way (Eleanor Wallace)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Oct 24 - 12:43 AM

Some of Eleanor's songs are on YouTube. One shows the label for Side One of Songs of the Middle Way, songs written and arranged by Eleanor Wallace.

Here's the track listing
Side One

1. Middle of the Road
2. Fairytale
3. Touch and Go
4. The Stone That Was No Stone
5. Boy and Shadow (with "Mike")
6. Moon on the Water
7. Standing By a River (Chorus: Dave and Dave)

Side Two

1. No Road Beyond
2. Barbara Allen II
3. I Don't
4. Come Set by my Side Little Darlin'
5. The West a Nest and You Dear
6. Sweet Lil Ol Lady
7. What Am I?

Here's the full album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud2crZKS-pg Recorded at Meagher Recording Studio 1966

There is an Eleanor Wallace YouTube Channel, but I think it's a different person: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCak-wNn4VY6Av_rY1z6bOlA

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,Iain Morrison
Date: 14 Dec 24 - 12:31 PM

Hi Mike
Wonderful to hear you are still working on release of your Mum's recordings. Songs of the Middle Way an absolute masterpiece and you must be so very proud of her. It also provides a unique perspective on the changes occuring in the 1960s that deserves to be more widely appreciated.
I am writing a wee blog on musical pioneers that created amazing records, out of the spotlight, that preempted more modern performers. Songs of the Middle Way is one of the posts I am working on, and would be delighted to share with you when it is written in draft.
My contact is [e-mail]
Best wishes with the project.

Subject: RE: Info request: 60s folkie Eleanor Wallace
From: GUEST,GUEST
Date: 18 Dec 24 - 06:28 PM

Iain, is your blog online? I'd love to read up on these artists!